Tornado Response: Helping Those Who Hurt

As a deadly storm system continues to pound the Southeastern U.S., local Nazarene churches are responding to the needs in their communities.

James Smith, pastor of the Vilonia (Arkansas) First Church of the Nazarene, lives and ministers in one of the areas hit hardest by the recent tornadoes. The Vilonia church had only recently opened its building, which had been destroyed by a tornado in 2011, before it was severely damaged Sunday evening. The area surrounding the church sustained extensive damage. Disaster response representatives estimate at least 3,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged.

Recovery efforts are continuing as churches and communities come together to love and support their neighbors in need.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has mobilized hundreds of crisis care kits, and additional kits are being scheduled to arrive as needed. Local churches are organizing work teams and meeting immediate needs including water and food.